Also over the next few days we’ll be posting a few more toy reviews here. Lots of new Robot Damashii goodness. We’re also aware we’ve been a bit quiet as of late. That’s mainly because we’re in a release lull for mecha games. Once things kick off again we’ll still be here, so don’t worry!

After much wait, the Soul of Chogokin Spec Layzner Mk2 has been given a price and release date. Costing 9,180 yen and out this September, it is indeed a web shop exclusive (with pre-orders opening on May 12th). It will also be on display at the Tamashii Nations event this weekend, which we’ll be obviously attending. That aside, the toy looks bloody amazing. It retains the transformation as well as a slew of other gimmicks. Considering that the E-MF-LZ-00X-2 Layzner Mk2 was never properly included in the show, due to its early cancellation, the fact we have such a nice toy of this nearly thirty years later is somewhat bonkers really (though most welcomed). It goes without saying that we’ll be picking this baby up later in the year.

Following on from the regular Robot Damashii ZZ Gundam, we’ll be now getting a new toy of the mighty FA-010S Full Armor ZZ Gundam this August. Priced at 7,560 yen it’s a bit pricier than the regular version but it comes with more gimmicks and is a fair bit bigger. It’s not quite as sleek as the version in the anime but it’s still most welcome nonetheless, as the last toy we had of this was the godawful Gundam FIX Figuration version and then in the Sentinel colours. This new Robot Damashii figure looks just the ticket and as with the rest of the line, it will likely have great articulation too.

Now that this year’s Tamashii Nation event is underway we’ve had all manner of reveals, many of which are pretty surprising. First off is the confirmation of the DX Chogokin YF-30 Chronos (shown above) from Macross 30 and it looks rather magnificent indeed. Following that we have the re-appearance of the 1/35 scale RX-78-2 Gundam Ver. Ka that’s part of the Gundam Fix Figuration range. This last appeared back in 2009 and many thought that it was dead and buried. No word on price or release date but expect the former to be a pretty long figure. After that there’s the Soul of Chogokin Gaogaigar, whether this will do the much loved Final Fusion gattai sequence is unclear but likely considering the history of the toy line. After that there are all manner of new Robot Damashii figures, from the aforementioned Skullheart, to the Zwarth and even the Kshatriya. Though the real surprise is the Geminass from the Wing sidestory G-Unit. Even the Virsago Chest Break from the latter half of Gundam X is on the way. A special mention also needs to go to the new Hello Kitty chogokin, as after 40 years she will finally get her own mecha. Shown no mercy Kitty-chan! If you want to browse the rest of the show’s coverage then you can do that here, here, here and here.

The forthcoming BluRay boxset for the amazing Blue Comet SPT Layzner that we previously talked about has received two promo videos. These are of the respective openings for the TV series, comprising of the first and second season. These are both credit-less, though with a nicely placed advert for the boxset mid-video (and if you’ve seen the anime then that should make sense). However, what is worth noting is that the picture quality is astounding. If the whole series is like this then we’re picking this boxset up regardless. Both promos are linked below and you can pre-order the boxset here.

At the Chara Hobby 2013 show this weekend, Bandai will be bringing along a 3D printed version of the planned Soul of Chogokin Spec Layzner Mk2 (shown above). This is the updated CG model based on the first round of feedback, though there is another questionnaire now to give feedback on these changes too. It seems that the newer iteration is somewhat chunkier and beefier looking, this we approve of. Still no word on release date or pricing but we’ll be keeping an eye out as we want this toy pretty damn badly!

Bandai have done the decent thing and announced a BluRay boxset for Blue Comet SPT Layzner. This will include the TV series and OVA as well as a variety of other trinkets (such as a 32 page booklet). However, all this will come at a price as the boxset will cost pretty close to 50,000 yen when it is released September 18th in Japan. Unlike the recent Macross Plus BluRay Boxset, this release of Layzner sadly won’t come with English subtitles. This begs the question on whether any Western distributor will do the right thing and pick this classic series up. As to why Layzner matters, well when it comes to gaming the series has been consistently and hugely influential. From Anubis to Armored Core For Answer to Omega Boost and even Bangai-O, Layzner’s functional parameters have inspired all manner of mecha games over the years. That aside the series is also thoroughly excellent in its own right and considering that the last release of Layzner (on DVD) was over 10 years ago now, this announcement is very welcome.